My Scarlet Rose (A Jerza Fanfic)

Chapter 19 - Can I Trust You?

Rachael's bloodstained body lied on the floor. Not dead just yet. But the rise and fall of her chest became slower. Erza was in the same condition. Her eyes would try to roll to the back of head, but Jellal would smack her cheek lightly to keep her awake. He sobbed over Erza's body, not knowing what to do. Then he heard footsteps. Jellal slowly rose his head up to see Rick walking up to and kneeling next to his sister. Rick had a sad look in his eyes, but he wasn't crying. He didn't even look on the brink of tears.

"I'm sorry." Rick broke the silence. "For myself and my foolish sister." He grabbed Rachael's hand in his. "After your outburst," he laughed nervously, squeezing his sister's hand tighter. "I realized that we were only focused on the past . . . when we should be moving towards the future." Rick scratched his head with his free hand when he heard a gasp.

"Erza?" Jellal shook the mage in his arms. "E-Erza?" No response. Her eyes were closed and her chest had stopped rising. "N-No." Jellal sobbed. He sniffled and sobbed over Erza's corpse. Not wanting to be in this cursed house, as Jellal now thought of it as, he stood and made his way slowly to the staircase with Erza still in his arms.

Rick watched as Jellal turned his back to him. He didn't try to stop him. Why would he? He had no reason to. Erza was dead. That was the goal, right? Although, Jellal was suppose to remain here because it was apart of their initial plan. That plan was thrown out the window now. Rachael was dying. Not dead, but dying. She didn't stab herself in a vital area so she was slowly bleeding to death.

Jellal reached the staircase, but before going down he said one last thing to Rick. "You must feel accomplished now." His back stayed facing Rick. "You know, since Erza is dead. Hope you're happy." His voice was deep and dark like there was no emotion or feeling put into it. After that, Jellal departed down the stairs. Rick just watched him go, not bothering to stop him. Since he and Rachael had been defeated, the Concealment Magic on the house was no longer in affect.

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"Look." Cobra said, pointing in the direction of where the mansion was. Meredy's eyes lit up because now they could see the house. "I hope Jellal and Erza are okay." Hoteye commented. Meredy ran towards the house. As she got closer, she could see the damage done to the place and her happiness faded. She heard the footsteps of her other guildmates who also stopped upon seeing the house. "Wha-" Cobra's eyes widened and his jaw dropped. He was stunned by what he was hearing.

"You must feel accomplished now . . . you know, since Erza is dead. Hope you're happy."

What was the meaning of this? Erza? The Erza Scarlet? Queen of the Fairies? Titania? Dead? What happened in that house? "I think we should go inside." Meredy spoke, snapping Cobra from his trance. She put a foot out to start walking when Cobra grabbed her shoulder. "No." He growled.

"Why-"

"You ain't gonna like what you see." Cobra turned his head, avoiding eye contact with the Sensory Link Mage.

Meredy's confused look vanished once she saw the look in Cobra's eyes. "W-What happened?" Her voice was shaking. She was on the brink of tears. Cobra just shook his head, not wanting to tell her. Meredy was the closest to Erza and Jellal. She would be most affected.

Meredy opened her mouth to say something when a thud was heard. Everyone turned their heads to see Jellal on his knees with Erza in his arms. Meredy was the first one by their side. "Jellal, what happened? Is Erza okay? How did you escape?" She asked a series of questions, tears slipping out when Jellal wasn't answering. "Jellal?" She whimpered. Her bottom lip trembled as she tried to hold back the tears.

"Erza is-" Jellal stopped himself. Just saying her name brought a wave of tears to his eyes. He couldn't bring himself to actually say that Erza was dead. Just the thought made him shake and tremble. Good thing he didn't have to finish that sentence. Everyone else caught on when they looked at Erza and noticed that her chest never rose. And everyone stayed silent. Meredy bursted into tears, covering her mouth with her hands to muffle the sobs. First Ultear and now Erza.

A Week Later . . .

Crime Sorcière traveled back to Magnolia in silence. Jellal never let go of Erza's body and he distanced himself from the others on train rides. Once they got back to Magnolia, Jellal wanted Erza to be buried where Fairy Tail used to stand. Her home. She was a proud S-Class Mage and a beloved friend to every guild member. What they found there wasn't expected.

Natsu and everyone from Fairy Tail, with the exception of Makarov and the Thunder Legion, were there rebuilding Fairy Tail. "No matter what Gramps said, Fairy Tail will stand tall and stand strong." Natsu said with a thumbs up. That was, of course, before everyone saw Erza. Meredy explained what happened to them, the best she could, on Jellal's behalf. There were tears shed and curses spat, but also small smiles when Jellal told them that he wanted to burry Erza here.

Mirajane bought a casket and cleaned up Erza's body. She even dressed her old rival in what she knew Erza would be most comfortable in. Her armor. Erza wore a repaired Heart Kreuz Armor and her hair was done, courtesy of Lucy's spirit Cancer. Elfman and Gajeel dug a place behind the guild to lay Erza to rest.

Everyone was gathered, tissues were passed around, and sobs were echoing through the area as Mira attempted to direct the small funeral that had been put together in a couple of hours. "Wait!" Someone shouted. Everyone's head turned and saw two people running towards them. Jellal gritted his teeth and ran to stand in front of Erza's casket protectively. "What are you two doing here?" He growled.

"You know them?" Natsu asked. "They're the ones that did this to Erza!" Jellal answered. Before Rick and Rachael made it to Jellal, Natsu and Gray acted as bodyguards, grabbing the two harshly. "Wait," Rick grunted, trying to free himself from Natsu. "hear me out!"

"I don't want to hear anything from you." Jellal turned to look at Rachael who was perfectly fine. "I thought you were dying?"

"I healed her." Rick piped up. "I have a spirit that can heal and I can help you, Jellal!"

"How?" Jellal scoffed. "Erza's already dead."

"I know. My spirit can also raise the dead." Jellal could've sworn his heart stopped. He could have Erza back? Alive? But why would Rick help him, especially Rachael? "Can you just . . . trust me, Jellal?" Rick pleaded.

Jellal took a deep breath as he tried to make a decision. This could be another trap. But what would they gain from having Erza alive? Didn't they want her dead? However, this could also be a chance to get Erza back. And this time he would do things right. He would have a second chance. "No the question is," Jellal crossed his arms over his chest and gave Rick a dead serious look. "Can I trust you?"